Theater seating structure having a television equipment chamber



Oct. 12, 1965 H. GRAF 3,210,895

THEATER SEATING STRUCTURE HAVING A TELEVISION EQUIPMENT CHAMBER Filed Sept. 19, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

HERBERT GRAF Oct. 12, 1965 H. GRAF 3,210,895

THEATER SEATING STRUCTURE HAVING A TELEVISION EQUIPMENT CHAMBER Filed Sept. 19, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 nus. 41-

INVENTOR.

HERBERT GRAF ATT NE Y8.

Unitcd States Patent Filed Sept. 19, 1962, Ser. No. 224,680 1 Claim. (Cl. 52--6) My invention relates to theaters and, more particularly,

to theaters in which the performance is to be televised at the same time that it is viewed by a live audience.

In theaters as well as television studios, it is a normal arrangement to install television cameras in positions where they are immovable during the production of a performance without distracting the attention of a live audience. The individual cameras may be mounted either permanently or temporarily, but even when they are temporarily installed any rearrangement during a performance would disturb the live audience. Thus, a number of cameras are normally required at desired fixed locations for adequate coverage without distracting the live audience viewers.

It is an object of my invention to provide a theater or like structure in which the performance can be produced before a live audience and at the same time be televised by equipment which can be operated during the performance without distracting the attention of the live audience.

According to my invention, a theater or the like having a performing area, as cin-structed as follows: A first seating structure is positioned adjacent and extends substantially along an edge of the performing area. This first seating structure is inclined upwardly away from the performing area and includes a plurality of rows of seats. A second seating structure is provided which is similarly inclined as and forms a continuation of the first seating structure. The lower portion of the second seating structure is spaced vertically above the upper portion of the first seating structure and a passageway is positioned below the lower portion of the second seating structure and rearwardly of the upper portion of the first seating structure. The passageway has an opening extending substantially along the upper edge of the first seating structure. Thus, portable television equipment may be positioned in the passageway and moved about during the performance without disturbing the live audience.

These and other objects, advantages and features of my invention will become apparent from the following description and drawings disclosing the best mode contemplated by me for carrying out my invention.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a plan view with parts in section of the portion of a theater embodying the principles of my invention;

FIG. 2 is an elevational view with parts broken away in section of the theater of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a modified theater; and

FIG. 4 is an elevational view with parts broken away in section of the theater of FIG. 3.

Referring to FIG. 1, the theater shown generally at comprises basically a stage or performing area 11 and a seating area 12. As seen in FIG. 2 the stage may include a plurality of vertically movable elevators, the top surfaces 13 of which cooperate to form the stage floor. Although the elevators are independently movable to selected elevations by means (not shown), this feature is not critical with respect to the invention. The elevator top surface 13 forming the front portion of the stage preferably has no adjacent front wall and is formed with a trapezoidal shaped opening 14 exposing a considerable surface portion 15 of one of a pair of independently movable elevators 16 positioned under the front elevator top surface 13. The top surfaces 15 of elevators 16 thus form an orchestra pit and a stand 17 (FIG. 2) can be suitably placed on the orchestra floor 15 such that a conductor or director may take proper position relative to the orchestra, and be in position to observe the performing area, but yet obstructed from the audiences view by a barrier 18 that extends along the front edge of a lower or first seating structure 19. The seating structure front edge or barrier 18, preferably, is adjacent to and extends substantially along the front edge of the stage 1 1. The first seating structure includes a plurality of rows of seats which are progressively inclined upwardly in the rearward direction away from the performing area. The rear portion of the seating area 12 comprises a second seating structure 20 having a similar rearward inclination and forming a continuation of the first seating structure, though interrupted by a passageway or chamber 21. The seating structures 19, 20 in FIGS. 1, 2 are shown to be substantially arcuate, and the forward or lower portion of the second seating structure preferably is provided with an arcuate barrier 22 and is substantially spaced vertically above the rear or upper portion 23 of the first seating structure. The arcuate passageway 21 is positioned below the lower portion of the second seating structure and rearward of the upper portion of the first seating structure. The passageway is formed with suflicient rearward extent so that television equipment 24 may be placed on the floor of the passageway and rearranged during a performance without disturbing viewers seated in the seating structures. While the forward portion of the passageway 21 is shown to be completely open in FIG. 2 a wall or barrier could also be provided along the juncture with the upper portion 23 of the first seating structure, so long as the wall contained suitable openings to permit ample television camera coverage of the stage from desired points along the passageway. By virtue of this arrangement, a minimum of television equipment could be employed within the passageway and yet produce maximum coverage of the performing area. For example, a single camera could be mounted on a satisfactorily portable base for unlimited movements along the passageway while operatively covering the stage. One or more additional cameras can be employed as desired.

A plurality of staircases 25, 26 are provided leading to their respective seating structures. Staircases 26 preferably are positioned to the rear of the passageway rear wall which may serve to support the forward or lower portion of the second seating structure.

Basically, the theater 30 shown in FIGS. 3, 4, is quite similar to theater 10, and the same reference numerals have been used to denote respective elements. Theater 30 is constructed for use as a circular arena surrounding a central stage area of modified proportions. The seating structures 19, 20 extend completely around the arena, as does the passageway 21. An additional circular passageway 31 is provided at the rear of the upper portion of seating structure 20 to receive additional television equipment 32 for coverage from a higher and more distant position. Where the type of performance is not suited for an arena audience or when the anticipated attendance may not nearly approach capacity, cyclorama 33 may be positioned to close off a substantial portion of the arena.

It should be apparent that details of construction can be varied without departing from the spirit of the invention except as defined in the appended claim.

I claim:

In a theater having a first seating structure and a second seating structure extending rearwardly from and above the level of the first,

(a) a chamber located between the two seating structures immediately to the rear of the first and imme- 3 diately underneath the front portion of the second, said chamber extending from one side of the two seating structures to the other at a level Which affords a view from above the first seating structure, (b) said chamber having a rear wall extending from one side of the seating structures to the other and separating said chamber from passageways or stair- Ways leading to the seating structures, by virtue of which said chamber provides a secluded area for the mobile operation of television equipment moving from one side of the seating structures to the other free from interference by persons entering or leaving the seating areas and without disturbing the audience during a performance.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,012,499 12/ 11 Zeh. 5 1,616,198 2/27 Partington 527 2,700,798 2/55 Perrottet 527 FOREIGN PATENTS 492,604 3 54 Italy.

10 FRANK L. ABBOTT, Primary Examiner.

HENRY C. SUTHERLAND, JACOB L. NACKENOFF,

Examiners. 

